ROUGHLY SIX MONTHS AGO; March 11 to be exact, KGO announced its latest talk format. 
To date, the results have been disappointing and not so surprising, dismal. In fact, KGO really hasn't excited its dwindling listener base; not that they ever had one before Cumulus basically eradicated the old, original format because the Clouds really never had any idea for a re-tinkering of the existing talk-heavy form because, really, Cumulus still has no idea how to run a business let alone a successful business like radio programming.
They essentially tried to bring back the old format but made several key mistakes and relied on old technique and new ideas but it's been a relative dud from day one. Fine, they tried, you say, but you'd be wrong too. In order to truly be successful you have to be creative and diversify and that's a difficult process and laborious affair, something Cumulus isn't very good at processing.
Six months is enough to make valid report cards. The ratings don't lie. Internal reports the guys in cheap suits who manage the inventory and gauge reaction have been deluged with NOTHING; nada. Because there is NOTHING to gauge; no spark; no energy; no buzz. Buzz? Ha ha. What buzz?
Mark Thompson continues to be a bore and deliver nothing even remotely interesting or substantial in the morning primetime shift from 10 AM to Noon. Thompson was thought to be a local savior considering his KRON background and radio merit in LA, but his Bay Area show has been a DUD. That's not only my take but system wide. Thompson loves to hear his voice; that much is certain. Unfortunately for KGO, nobody else is impressed with Thompson's shtick and it gets real old. His interviews are BORING. His intellect and personality are about as genuine as month-old pop tarts at the Grocery Outlet. KGO could have hired a diseased yak and had more buzz and saved quite a bit of money.
I like Pat Thurston quite a bit; same too John Rothmann at night with his political acumen and overall preparation for the day's news and latest Trump goings-on and then some but too bad the higher-ups haven't bothered to promote their respective shows and try to build an audience. It requires hard work and commitment; foreign turf at the Cumulus domain.
Chip Franklin I have grown to like because no matter how much his adversaries (at one point myself included) have ripped the content, Franklin does a decent drivetime (3- 7 PM) adventure and yes, during afternoon drive, you have to excite the senses and rev up the engine, especially in today's iPhone generation where thought process revolves around PBR beer and American Spirit cigarettes.
KGO needs a jolt; a fresh hire and something new and original but I'm not going to hold my breath waiting. Sure, love the new thinking and appreciate the throwback ideas but clearly, there is NO ingenuity and creativity. If "The Ronn Owens Report" is KGO's idea of invigorating content then we're all just wasting our time.
Mark and John are fine. Pat and Chip are bedbugs.
ReplyDelete@520pm...And I bet you love all 4 or 5 hours of Armstrong and Getty. Ugh. These guys are as authentic as a Fresno Applebee's. Laughing nonstop at your lame jokes is not good radio.How come no callers? Mark is just plain boring. John and Pat are the best,1 & 2.Chip a solid 3rd. 43 years listening to talk radio, I know my stuff.
DeleteChip and his sidekick Rosie Perez are the worst.
Delete7:25...I think you skipped your meds yesterday. Try to be better today ok? *pats grandpa on the head*
Listening to talk radio for 43 years? Oh man, please tell us how the world used to be before indoor plumbing.
DeleteDid you date Pat Thurston back in high school?
How are the ratings for A&G in the morning slot. They should be appealing to a broader audience. I heard this morning that Gill Gross will be filling in for Mark Thompson when he goes to Africa ??
ReplyDelete6:51: LOL about Thompson to Africa (looking for Toto?)
ReplyDelete7:25: Spot on. Sadly, I have an ex-classmate - one of the smartest ladies I've ever known and who is more beautiful every day (though not 1989 Pam Moore hot pants breathtaking; has husband, kids, & dogs) - who loses her smarts in the morning and digs A&G. Yikes!
The worst part about groups like the Cloud Clowns is this - too many clueless companies become powerful for the simple reason that they know how to negotiate, but then have no clue on how to manage people let alone businesses. In broadcasting and in politics are where this trend is the worst - smart bargaining, stupid management. Sigh
> Six Months of 'New' KGO Radio
ReplyDelete> Is Pretty Much Sad and Pathetic
Or, as it's called in the Bay Area, Tuesday.
these people seemed old when I was a kid and now I’m in my thirties. What gives?
ReplyDeleteWell they ARE old. A&G I'd guess are in their late 40's. Pat is probably the same age as your grandmother.
DeleteKGO...geriatric talk 810.
Who is that ex KGO station image voice now doing commercials on KCBS ?
ReplyDeleteRetirement commercials where you "wait a little longer" now great ?
A victim of the 3rd KGO bloodbath.
That would be Mike Amatori. He was the Production Director when the station had some actual talent.
Deleteat least rothman gets to say every night he shops at calmart, and his old boss richard nixon gets mentioned at least ten times in three hours
ReplyDeleteKGO won’t be a station doing talk radio by July. That’s a fact.
ReplyDeletePeople, think Sirius radio. Since I got it, driving has been a pleasure.
ReplyDeletePat T what Trump bit are you going to whine about today??
ReplyDeleteJohn you used to be great but you hung around Pat to long now you sound like her. Chip, A&G suck the only one left worth listening to is John Batchlor.
when your morning drive is syndicated fare with two country bumpkins and you end the day with a conspiracy nut, you are doing something wrong.
ReplyDeletepat is good, because she deals with local issues...the only talk show not on pbs that does.
and i thought ratings dont matter.
Conspiracy nuts...you just described the enter DNC.
DeleteGet over it Rich. Move on to something constructive.
ReplyDelete